Britain: Rout in the Towns

Throughout its long democratic history,
Britain has seldom had a more unpopular government than that of Prime
Minister Harold Wilson's  or one so entrenched despite its low
standing. After months during which its vote and its esteem from Britons
have steadily declined, the Labor Party last week suffered its most
extensive and embarrassing defeat yet.

Laborites had expected at least small losses in Britain's local
elections, chiefly because of the sluggish economy and austerity at
home, but they experienced a shocker. From one end of Britain to the
other, voters toppled Labor from control of town halls.